Ground Reality

Results for the 403 Members State Assembly in the most populous state of Uttar Pradesh are out ,scripting a new normal political scenario in the caste and communal politics ridden state,with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerging as a successful Skipper. The state elections in the state and its outcome- giving landslide victory to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) –has put a stamp of approval on the disruptive politics of Modi who has scaled down traditional parameters in the ground politics in the most vibrant political hinterland of the country. The massive mandate to the BJP in the Hindi state, which sends 80 seats to the lower house of Parliament ,has proved beyond an iota of the doubt that the Modi-Amit Shah style of politics has created a new normal for the politics where fresh ground rules for polls have been laid- throwing political pundits for a toss. Some of the journalists went on air to admit that they were caught off the guard with staggering seats tally...

As five states go for assembly polls in Feb-March, the phrase 'Post Truth' has gained currency in the post-demonetisation era in the world's largest democracy.All eyes will be riveted on TV screens on March 11, two days ahead of the riot of colours-–Holi-- to find out whose Truth or Post Truth triumphed. The term was in circulation in a big way during the United States elections and referendum on Brexit. Driven by its popularity and common use during these two international events, Editors introduced the word in the Oxford dictionary.  A large number of media houses and digital platforms had used the word extensively.          Narratives of political scenario in India and the internationally famous Jaipur Literature Festival had detailed discussions on the word. Many opine that the word is not relevant in the Indian context, but tongues wag otherwise. Most attributed Republican Donald Trump's victory in US to the fierce...

By  Neeraj Bajpai “I had been to other countries-in Europe,Asia and the  Middle East - but none of them had provided even half as much variety, or so much to see and experience and remember, as this one state in northern India. You can travel from one end of Australia to the other,but everywhere on that vast continent you will find that people dress in the same way, eat the same kind of food, listen to the same music. This colourless uniformity is apparent in many other countries of the world, both East and West. But Uttar Pradesh is a world in itself.” - Ruskin Bond . The dance of democracy in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh has assumed gigantic proportions with most of the stake holders have adopted a fierce tone in the campaign .Knives remained out in open.Now polling is almost all over and only two phases are left.       No-holds barred electioneering has touched a crescendo with acidic and sarcastic slogans. More than duels at public pla...

The Narendra Modi skippered Central government, during its first two years, received bouquets aplenty but weathered many storms too, on its arduous journey on the track of economic and  social  agenda .  It was fraught  with multi-faceted challenges: two straight droughts, slowdown in the global economy, emergence of zealots, Jat reservation movement in Haryana, a mixed bag of poll verdicts in some state assemblies etc. Sometimes, social tensions loomed large on the development plank but deft  handling of the situation thwarted designs to foment caste and communal tensions. Home Ministry reports said that the new regime has seen less number of riots and communal troubles as compared to the rule of the previous dispensation. Fresh from Assam polls victory, Prime Minister said the verdict had proved that people had accepted and endorsed development policies and ideologies of the ruling party at the Centre. The victory of BJP-led allia...

Modi govt second anniversary: A perspective Neeraj Bajpai  Amid positive projections regarding India’s economic growth by United Nations and international rating agencies and the BJP-led NDA dispensation’s poll victory in the North-Eastern state of Assam, the Narendra Modi Government marks its second anniversary in office, side-stepping critics who nurse suspicions regarding successful completion of a plethora of schemes – more than 50 launched during last two years. A critical assessment of the Government’s performance is underway by various quarters-common man, executive, opposition parties, wizards of various disciplines for the ground reality check up on narratives of promises and deliveries. Common refrain among growth drivers is massive development will be both palpable and visual soon as they have now riveted eyes on ground for time bound implementation of plans rather than unveiling new plans. War of perception is being waged on the government’s performance an...